Message of Abbot Paul - Friday - 3rd May 2024
Abbot Paul • May 3, 2024
Although we now celebrate the Apostles Philip and James on 3rd May, this was originally, and still is in Peru and many other countries, the Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross, here we continue our reading of that final discourse Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper, as recorded in John, (Jn 15: 12-17), and we continue where we left off yesterday. Jesus is speaking of the Father’s love, that the love he has for Jesus is reflected in the love that Jesus has for his disciples. He says,
“This is my commandment:
love one another,
as I have loved you.”
Now that love which Jesus has for us, must be reciprocated in the love we have for others. We are to love others in the same way as Jesus loves us. He goes on,
“A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.”
But for Jesus, what does love mean, other than, ”to lay down ones life for ones friends’? Jesus proposes a sacrificial love than which no other love is greater. To love means to give oneself unconditionally to others, even to the shedding of our blood. That is how Jesus loves us and has given himself up for our forgiveness and salvation, that we might be reconciled with God through him. Not only are we loved and expected to love equally in return, but we are called, and truly are, friends of Jesus. We are friends with whom Jesus has shared everything the Father has taught the Son. Jesus opens up for us his knowledge of the Father’s heart.
Jesus then reminds us that we have been called and chosen for a purpose.
“You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you is to love one another.”
Jesus chooses his disciples; they do not choose him, but we are commissioned for a special reason, to bear fruit that will last. That will be the proof of love for which God will give us anything we ask him in his name. The Christian life is born of love and leads to love, which is why Jesus repeats that commandment of love. We are to love one another with a perfect love, the love that casts out all fear, that unconditional love which comes to us from God. Lord, you have taught us many things. Teach us how to love according to your heart and mind Amen.
July and August 2026: 3 workshops let by Fr Alex Echeandia, Prior of the Monastery of Lurin
9th to 11th January 2026 A weekend for young men to experience the monastic life and join in the prayer and life of the community.
28th November at 6.45pm You are welcome to join an informal service for healing prayer on the last Friday of November. No need to book.
Sat 13th December, 10.00am-12.30am We are delighted that the acclaimed Cistercian writer, Fr Michael Casey will be with us in December.
Monday 1st to Thursday 4th December 2025. Our first Advent retreat in our newly opened guesthouse
Good Shepherd, Good Priest “I will seek the lost and bring back the strayed; I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” Those words, spoken by the Lord God through the prophet Ezekiel, describe the heart of God, the Good Shepherd — but they also describe the life and ministry of a good monk and priest. They could well be written of Fr Stephen’s years of service as a pastor in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford, and Weobley. In each of those places, he shared in the Shepherd’s work: seeking out the lost, binding up the wounded, strengthening the weary, and leading God’s people with quiet faithfulness. And like Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who came close to his people, Fr Stephen did not serve from a distance. He knew his people; he was among them. He shared their sorrows and their joys, their hopes and their disappointments. He bore their burdens with prayer and patience he brought the joy of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments. His mission amongst us is complete. He has served God’s good purpose. So today we ask Christ the Good Shepherd to take Stephen on his sacred shoulders and carry him home to the house of the Father. Bind up his wounds, give him eternal rest and lead him at last to the green pastures and still waters of eternal life.
Br Meinrad and Br Gildas attend a special service with the Benedictine community of St Paul's Outside the Walls with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Honesty and Love Before God: Pharisee and Tax Collector; Pope and King - a homily by Abbot Brendan for the 30th Sunday of the Year.
We are sad to announce that Fr Stephen died on Monday 21st October 2055. He was 94. He died peacefully in hospital, having recently fractured his shoulder. He was a beloved member of the monastic community, who had settled back at Belmont after many years on Belmont parishes, including in Abergavenny, Swansea, Hereford and Weobley. He will be much missed. His Requiem Mass will be at Belmont on Wednesday, 5th November at 11.30am followed by burial in the monastic cemetery. The Reception of his Body into the Abbey Church will take place on Tuesday, 4th November, at 5.45pm.
With honoured guests we were delighted to open our doors again of our new guesthouse and conference centre: The Chapterhouse.